When Zelda notices the seal weakening, she asks Link to accompany her and the Shrine Maidens on a trip to the Elemental Sanctuary and check on it.[3][4] However, Shadow Link appears from their portal and traps the maidens in crystals, sending them away to different corners of Hyrule.[5] Link must rescue each Maiden, including Zelda, from a dungeon in order to find Vaati.[6] Whenever they are freed from a crystal, they turn into a Fairy-like form to guide him on his way. Once Link saves them all, they pray to keep the darkness at bay as he traverses the Realm of the Heavens.[7]

Contents

Maidens

Blue Maiden

The Blue Maiden presides over the Eastern Hyrule, where a village is named after her. The Links free her from where she is imprisoned in Hyrule Castle. The Queen of Fairies had attempted to save her after she called for help, but she was instead split in two and trapped in a hideous form.[8] Once they help her recover her true form, she leaves the care of the maidens in their hands.[9]

The Blue Maiden is relieved to be free and tells Link how brave he is. She allows them to travel by sea under her protection.[10] She greets them in her fairy form at The Coast, telling them that the bond they share must grow before they can face Vaati.[11]

Yellow Maiden

The Yellow Maiden is imprisoned in the Eastern Temple. Link rescues her after slaying the Stone Arrghus. Fearing Vaati's newly regained power, she tells Link that they must head to her realm of Death Mountain, where another maiden is likely trapped.[12]

Later, during their exploration of The Field, Malon notices the Links talking with the Green Maiden, calling her a "green fairy".[15] The maiden wonders why Malon is out by herself in the rain and suggests that they help her.[16]

White Maiden

At the end of the Links' Infiltration of Hyrule Castle, the White Maiden is freed. She describes how her domain, formerly known as the Forest of Light, has turned into The Dark World.[17] It is the resting place of the Dark Mirror, which she says must be retrieved and protected from evil hands.[18] She meets them at the Lost Woods, where she tells them to speak with some of the Deku Scrubs in hopes of uncovering some information.[19]

Red Maiden

The Red Maiden's crystal is in a room right next to the Dark Mirror in the Temple of Darkness. She watches over The Desert of Doubt. Upon freeing her from her prison, the White Maiden hurries to tell the Red Maiden what has happened, and the Red Maiden agrees that she is also worried and asks about the other maidens.[21][22] The White Maiden explains that they are still unsure where the final two maidens are, and mentions how the Deku were worshipping a figure named Ganon.[23] The Red Maiden informs them that she heard a similar name in the desert, and says that they should go there.[24]

She leads them to the first area. There, she instructs them to speak with the Gerudo people there.[25] Inside of the Pyramid, she helps them translate a tablet written in ancient tongue, which mentions a Trident of dark power.[26] She suddenly realizes that Ganon is the real threat, not Vaati, and that he has become the King of Darkness with the help of the weapon.[27] She urges them to hurry.

Purple Maiden

Also located in Pyramid, the Purple Maiden protects Frozen Hyrule. She thanks Link for freeing her, and then calls on the other maidens to help her search for Princess Zelda.[28] They hear her for a moment, and she tells them that she is in the Tower of Winds.[29] The maidens tell Link to hurry to Frozen Hyrule to find the final Royal Jewel so that they can open tower.[30] The Purple Maiden leads the Links to the first area in Frozen Hyrule, where all of the maidens gather and promise to protect the entrance to the tower while Link searches for the Royal Jewel required to open it.[31]

Ganon's Emergence and Defeat

Finally, the Links defeat Vaati, and the Palace, held together by his might, starts to crumble.[35] The Links leave through the collapsing Tower of Winds, Princess Zelda trailing behind them.[36] While escaping, Zelda notices that there are still monsters in the palace, and she senses a malevolent power approaching.[37][38] Just as they are about to reach the exit, the ground collapses beneath them and they fall into another room with a dark wad of energy in the center. Zelda attempts to seal it away, but the force then turns into Ganon, who traps Zelda and mocks the heroes before attacking.[39][40]

After attacking him for a while, Zelda is freed and she creates a ball of light to help the Links.[41] Once she has fully powered it up, she releases it and the Links hit it into Ganon using their Bow. The rest of the maidens appear, and Link raises the Four Sword above his head, finally sealing Ganon away.[42][43]

Princess Zelda tells Link to place the Four Sword back in its pedestal.[44] All of the maidens appear in the Four Sword Sanctuary to watch before turning into their fairy forms and retreating to their respective areas of Hyrule. Everyone in Hyrule celebrates Link's triumph over Ganon, and Zelda watches from a tower in the castle.

References

↑ "[sfx]These six maidens guard the portal to the Four Sword Sanctuary to keep it safe. I'm going now to make sure Vaati's seal remains strong. Now, the shrine maidens and I must open the portal to the Four Sword's resting place. Step back, Link..." — Princess Zelda, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "Using the Four Sword, Vaati was sealed into the Elemental Sanctuary, a place visible only to children, by Link and the reigning Princess Zelda. Following his imprisonment, the sanctuary was watched over by the young Princess Zelda and the Maidens." — p. 119, Hyrule Historia

↑ "[sfx]Oh, Link... It's you! Thank goodness you came! The six maidens who guard Hyrule are gathered here in the castle. The sky has become so dark and foreboding... I'm worried about the seal that binds the wind sorcerer Vaati." — Princess Zelda, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "The reigning Princess Zelda, wary of the dark clouds that covered Hyrule, brought Link and the six Maidens to the Elemental Sanctuary to see whether the seal on Vaati was weakening." — p. 119, Hyrule Historia

↑ "However, the moment the door to the Elemental Sanctuary was opened, the Maidens were swept off to different corners of Hyrule by the power of darkness." — p. 119, Hyrule Historia

↑ "[sfx]Hoo hoot! At last, you're awake, Link. I am Kaepora Gaebora. Mine is the voice you've been hearing since you left the Four Sword Sanctuary. I know you're worried about finding Vaati, but you must not act rashly. Find the six shrine maidens and Princess Zelda, and you will also find Vaati. As for that dark shadow... Let's call him Shadow Link. That one is up to no good. Your sword is weak, but you can restore its power by infusing it with Force Gems. But first, the four who have been divided must be drawn together! Press the L Button! I must fly, but we will meet again on the road ahead!" — Kaepora Gaebora, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Link? It is you, isn't it, Link? I believed you would come to my rescue, and here you are. I knew you would wield the Four Sword and come... Thanks to your efforts the darkness above ground is thinning. The maidens and I will pray to keep the darkness from recovering its full strength. However, the Realm of the Heavens is now overflowing with Vaati's monsters. The darkness in the Realm of the Heavens must be purged if true peace is to return." — Princess Zelda, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "I heard the maidens' cries and came running to find the castle a nest of fiends. They captured me and split me in two. That's why I look so horrible right now! Please, I beg of you. Reunite my two halves! Make me whole again!" — Fairy Queen, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]I'll let all of my friends throughout Hyrule know... "If you run into four travelers with one face, tend to their weariness and ease the burden of their travels!" There is a tradition that young, noble gentlemen rescue damsels in distress. And so, I leave the well-being of the maidens in your hands. Take care!" — Fairy Queen, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Where am I? The darkness... It's gone. I have been freed, haven't I? Link! What's happened to you? Oh, the Four Sword. You've drawn the mystic blade. That means Vaati is free once more, does it not? And you've taken up the mantle fate has given you. How brave! Such determination speaks well of you. You are truly a great hero. Oh... Oh! There's something you must know! That dark shadow that captured us... It looked...just like you! What was it? Link... You must save the princess and the remaining maidens!" — Blue Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Link, we have arrived! The bond you all share must grow stronger if you hope to meet the difficulties ahead. Be prepared." — Blue Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Link! Did you defeat that giant stone eye-thing? Thank you! By defeating that beast, you rescued me from my crystal prison! Thank you, Link. You have my gratitude! The wind sorcerer Vaati has regained his power. When he last tried to conquer Hyrule, he built a Palace of Winds in the Realm of the Heavens. So even now, he's sure to be-- Link! You must first rescue Princess Zelda. Act quickly! I rule over Death Mountain. High atop the peak, the Tower of Flames stands tall. Climb the mountain. One of the maidens must be trapped in the tower of raging lava. Come, Link. I shall guide you." — Yellow Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]You passed through the flames to rescue me! Such bravery. You're just like the Knights of Hyrule! You've heard of the Knights of Hyrule, of course! They're the pride of the kingdom! They would lay down their lives for honor! In Hyrule, four sacred jewels can open the path to the Realm of the Heavens. The safety of these jewels has for ages been entrusted to the Knights of Hyrule. And yet, in these dark times, the knights are nowhere to be seen... I cannot hide my fears. ... ... ... Pardon? Master Kaepora Gaebora, you say? Is that so... Well then, we must go to Hyrule Castle! We must liberate the castle!" — Green Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]The giant bird is just up ahead. It is quite fast, so keep your eyes open. We bird folk like to fly high and gaze down on the land. This area is especially nice. We'll not let beautiful Hyrule be taken by these dark beings. ...Hm? That's Hyrule Castle... I believe you've driven off its darkness already, but... Something's not right. I shall go and investigate! You keep going! Get rid of that bird and save the maiden from the Tower of Flames! We shall meet again!" — Kaepora Gaebora, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Um, excuse me... Were you just talking to...a green fairy? I saw it! There was a beautiful fairy fluttering around you! Amazing! What Poppa told me really is true! He said that good boys and girls get to meet fairies! Like today! I was coming home after running errands but...I couldn't get back. I mean, it started raining, and the castle guards were moving all the cannons... The cannons are really old, and they're not meant to be used... It was really weird. Say, if you're all going on ahead, take me with you! You're friends with the green fairy, so of course it's OK, right? Yes No" — Malon, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Hm? What's that girl doing out there all by herself? Link, please, you must speak with her! If she stays out there alone, she's bound to be attacked!" — Green Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Link... Thank you. You carry my hopes with you...as well as all of Hyrule's. Wait... Is that the blue royal jewel you carry? How did you come by it? Is that so? The Knights of Hyrule... So even the jewels are now... Link, all we can do is put our faith in the light and press on, overcoming each obstacle that confronts us. My forest has lost its light. Darkness covers it like a shroud. Link, will you go to the forest? Perhaps you will find some clues there. In the heart of the forest is a temple. The Dark Mirror can be found there. Long ago, a dark tribe invaded Hyrule. They were defeated and imprisoned within the mirror. The tribe's mirror prison was then secreted away and hidden in the forest temple to sever its connection to this world. That Dark Mirror must never fall into the hands of those with evil hearts." — White Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Link! The mirror is a danger in anyone's hands but yours. No one else can be trusted. Retrieve the Dark Mirror from the palace, and keep it until Princess Zelda is safe. Please. You are the only one we can depend on... First, let us proceed to the forest. :" — White Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Link, this is the Forest of Light. Or rather, it once was. Now, the darkness grows deep, and the air stagnant. I wonder if some clue might reveal itself here. It seems that many foul beasts are gathering here. Perhaps you might be able to learn something from them." — White Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Ah! The Dark Mirror... Someone's stolen the Dark Mirror! That mirror reveals the wickedness within a person and brings it to life. It's an item of terrible, dark power. No good can come from this. Shadow Link!! Could he be your evil reflection, cast by the Dark Mirror? If that were the motive of the mirror's thief... This is disastrous! If we don't get the mirror back, Hyrule will be overrun with evil Shadow Links. The mirror... Who took it? And where?" — White Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]The white maiden? I'm worried about the mirror, too. Who could've stolen it? And what of the other shrine maidens? Has Princess Zelda been rescued?" — Red Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]The whereabouts of the purple maiden and the princess are still... We still have no clear idea of who stole the mirror. [sfx]However, there is something that disturbs me. When those...things...first entered my woods, they spoke of their dark lord. "Ganon, Ganon," they chanted. It was as though they were...worshipping." — White Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Ganon... I've heard that name before. No, wait... It was Ganondorf... But, no... That man was of the Gerudo tribe. I can't imagine these creatures worshipping some desert nomad. There's a Gerudo village in the desert. I doubt there is any connection, but it cannot hurt to check the village. Beyond the village lie ruins and an ancient pyramid. They are so old that no living creature knows very much about them. All I can tell you is that no one who sets foot in the pyramid ever returns. If one of the maidens is there, I fear for her safety. [sfx]Link... Despite all of this, we must go there. Let us be on our way! To the endless desert sands!" — Red Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Take heed, Link. The road you must take is enveloped in a fierce wind. But remember how far you've traveled. You must proceed. You must go forward. You can meet any obstacle that arises. I believe that. A Gerudo village lies due north of here. Go and speak with them." — Red Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Hm? That writing on those large rocks... It's in an ancient tongue... Let's see if I can read it. ... ... ... Seek...you...the world? Seek you...power? Does your...soul...despise peace and...thirst for... more? Does your soul...cry... for...destruction and... conquest? We...grant you...power to ...ruin...the world. The power of...darkness. Evil...spirit of magic trident. You are...the... King of Darkness." — Red Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]... ... ... Evil spirit... Spirit of magic? Trident? This indentation is in the shape of a weapon. Do you think the person who took this trident was... Ganondorf?!? The King of Darkness is not Vaati? Does this mean this wicked man is somewhere in Hyrule plotting even now? Link! The situation is even more desperate than I believed! We must hurry!" — Red Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Link! You've come to my aid? You came to this pyramid of no return just to rescue me? Oh, thank you, Link! ...Princess Zelda? Is this true? So she's still in the clutches of those creatures? My sisters, show yourselves please. [sfx]We'll work together to find Princess Zelda! Let our six hearts be one... Now let us call to her!" — Purple Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]... ... ... ... ...Ah! Link?! Is that you? And the shrine maidens! You're all safe... I'm so relieved. Link, I'm in the Tower of Winds. This is no longer the tranquil road to the Realm of the Heavens. Vaati's underlings have turned it into a frozen fortress. Hurry, Link! Vaati's power grows ever stronger, even as we speak..." — Princess Zelda, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Ah! Princess Zelda! [sfx]The Tower of Winds!! She is trapped in the Tower of Wind, which has now vanished from Hyrule... Accursed Vaati! The princess is in danger! Link! Quickly, you must get the last royal jewel and bring back the tower! You heroes have crossed Hyrule and gathered three of the jewels. There's only one place left to search. Frozen Hyrule, where the power of darkness keeps spring at bay... The last royal jewel must be there! No matter the cost to us, Princess Zelda must be rescued!! Hurry, Link!" — Maidens, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Link, the Tower of Winds has vanished. If we enshrine the royal jewels on the Four Sword's sacred ground, the temple may reappear. We'll go on ahead and guard the sacred ground from our foe until you arrive. The power of darkness has halted the flow of time here, and winter lingers on. We must believe in tomorrow and hold true to our hope. May our passion keep our hearts from freezing! Link, you must first seek out the final royal jewel! Then, we will go to the Tower of Winds, where Princess Zelda awaits." — Purple Maiden, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Link? It is you, isn't it, Link? I believed you would come to my rescue, and here you are. I knew you would wield the Four Sword and come... Thanks to your efforts the darkness above ground is thinning. The maidens and I will pray to keep the darkness from recovering its full strength. However, the Realm of the Heavens is now overflowing with Vaati's monsters. The darkness in the Realm of the Heavens must be purged if true peace is to return." — Princess Zelda, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Link! The Shadow Links will regenerate if left alone! I must act..." — Princess Zelda, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]The Shadow Link, the one who wrought so much havoc upon Hyrule... No longer will his troubling shade darken our world. The one who stole this mirror and brought forth the Shadow Link... He who plunged Hyrule into darkness draws near! ... ... ... The heroes must be given passage to the final battle. A bridge! :" — Princess Zelda, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Link! You've defeated the wind sorcerer Vaati. ...! [sfx]This palace was built on the power of Vaati's magical strength. With its master gone, it can no longer retain its form. We can't stay here any longer! We must escape to the Tower of Winds!" — Princess Zelda, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]What's going on? Why is the Tower of Winds beginning to collapse? Link! We have to get out quickly!" — Princess Zelda, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]There are still monsters about. If Vaati did not call them, then...who did?" — Princess Zelda, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]What?! That raw patch of darkness, deeper than the blackest night... Is... Is that Vaati? No, it's not the wind sorcerer... No matter, I must use my power to seal it away! [sfx]Can't breathe... My strength is failing me... The very air around me is growing thin...dying... I only need a bit... more power... MORE!!" — Princess Zelda, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Enough! The princess of Hyrule and all her power amounts to nothing! Zelda! I, Ganon, now seal you away forever! [sfx]Gwah haa haaaa! Weaklings! Incompetent fools! You so-called heroes do not stand even a gnat's chance of harming me! Even if you worms attack in a group, I will skewer the lot of you on my mighty trident!!" — Ganon, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Ganon... This beast was once of the Gerudo... Once human. He was called Ganondorf! King of Darkness, ancient demon reborn. The wielder of the trident!! [sfx]Yet now... While Ganon's power has waned... I will pour all of my remaining strength into this ball of light! When it is suffused with power, I will release it and strike! At that time, use this! Fire at the ball of light with all your might! If we combine our powers, we may yet be able to seal Ganon away from the world! Link! You must hold back Ganon until my ball of light is ready!!" — Princess Zelda, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]Gyaaaaaaa! What... What have you done? I am the King of Darkness! I cannot be destroyed by insects like you! Noooo!!!" — Ganon, Four Swords Adventures.

↑ "[sfx]... ... Link. We whom you protected, and all of Hyrule as well... We will struggle together and grow stronger than before. We will work as one, as the four of you have done. We will work...together. Now, the Four Sword... Place the sword that sealed away the darkness on the pedestal." — Princess Zelda, Four Swords Adventures.